Hisanori Takahashi: With his kind of numbers out of the bullpen, 3.12 ERA and an 11.4 K/9 in 26 innings, it was only a matter of time before Takahashi got a shot at starting a game, this Friday at home against the Yankees. Of course that kind of dominance won’t be replicated as a starter, but anything over a 7.0 K/9 would be fine, however his control could be a big problem, 4.9 BB/9. The K’s make him intriguing as a starter, but this is a 35 year-old pitcher, with a very short MLB track record, a slight frame, 5’10 and 170 lbs, and control issues, who is going against one of the most potent lineups in baseball. There is some upside here, but also a lot of risk.
Akinori Iwamura: Iwamura has been a disappointment as the Pirates 2B, 2/8/.157 with 2 steals in 127 AB. Although his plate patience has improved, 2009/2010 BB/9’s 9%/12%, given his lack of power, 3 HR in 358 AB between 2009 and 2010, his contact rate is too low, 2009/2010 Ct%’s 81%/79%. A .158 BHIP% points to some batting average upside, but his ceiling is limited with the amount of contact he makes. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Pirates go in a different direction for their 2B.
Stephen Strasburg: With the numbers that he is putting up in the minors, 1.64 ERA, 11.1 K/9 and a 2.5 BB/9 in 5 Double-A starts and no ER, 13/2 K/BB in 12 Triple-A innings, it is only a matter of time before Strasburg is in the Nationals rotation. If he is somehow still available in your league, grab him now as he should contribute right from the beginning. The only downside could an innings limit put on the 21-year-old by the Nationals.
Andre Ethier: Ethier was placed on the DL with a fracture in his pinky finger and could be out longer than 15 days. This a big loss for fantasy owners as he was off to a great start, 11/38/.392 in 125 AB. No hitter could sustain these kind of numbers over a full season and Ethier was due for a correction. His power had grown over the previous couple of seasons, 2008/2009 AB’s 525/596, HR’s 20/31, and Doubles’ 38/42, supported by an increase in his FB%, 2008/2009 #’s 32%/42%. However this year, his FB% has declined to 37%, while his HR/FB% is way out of line with his previous work, 2008/2009/2010 #’s 14%/15%/28%. Ethier has above average power, but not 50+ HR potential.
Adam LaRoche: LaRoche left yesterday’s game after being hit with a pitch in the leg but it doesn’t appear to be anything serious. Despite a reputation as a notoriously slow starter, year-over-year, LaRoche has one of the more stable skills sets in baseball, 2007/2008/2009 AB’s 563/492/555, HR’s 21/25/25, and Doubles’ 42/32/38, as you can practically bank on mid 20’s home run, 85-90 RBI, and a 270’s BA. This year, it looks like he is swinging for the fences more often, 2009/2010 Ct%’s 74%/71% and FB%’s 43%/49%, but has just 4 HR in 127 AB to show for it. However he is generating power, 11 doubles, and once his HR/FB% trends back to his historical levels, 2008/2009/2010 HR/FB%’s 16%/14%/9%, the balls will leave the yard at a better rate for LaRoche.
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